Today, Executive Secretary of the Philippines Salvador Medialdea and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade led the induction and oath-taking of the newly-appointed members of the Coastal Community Auxiliary Division of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The newly-appointed auxiliaries will dedicate themselves in carrying out the Philippine Coast Guard’s mission of promoting safety of life and property at sea, protecting the marine environment, and conducting humanitarian missions and disaster response.

“Ito po ay isang napakalaking hakbang para sa ating bayan, gawa ng napakalaking shorline natin dito sa Pilipinas. We have around 37,000 kilometers of shoreline here in the Philippines and guided that with the emergence of the PCG, as well as the help of the Auxiliary Core, dapat magtulong-tulungan tayo para ito ay ating mabantayan at mapangalagaan para sa kinabukasan ng atin pang mga batang kababayan,” ES Medialdea said after administering the oath-taking ceremony.

DOTr Secretary Tugade expressed his salute to the new members for taking this milestone as part of nation-building, saying that they are partners against illegal shore activities.

“On behalf of the men and women of the PCG, you, the auxiliaries who are our partners in safety at sea, safety and security of the archipelago, kalabanin natin ang droga, illegal fishing, at ‘yung mga mali na ginagawa sa shore line,” Tugade stated.

The 30 new members who shall lead the 402nd, 403rd, and 409th Auxiliary Squadrons of the CG Auxiliary District in Palawan, are headed by fishermen, environmentalists, coastal community leaders, boat owners and operators.

Coast Guard Captain Angel Viliran of CG Palawan said that the ceremonies mark another milestone of the PCG as the new members become part of the resilience-building community.

“Since its establishment, the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, as the secret weapon of the PCG, has been unyielding in providing support and assistance to the PCG in performing our duties and in achieving our vision as world-class guardians of the sea,” Captain Viliran said.